We know that Harrison Barnes will be active against the Nuggets (Photo via X)
In a battle of two teams playing on the second night of a back-to-back, the San Antonio Spurs play a road game against the Denver Nuggets tonight. The Spurs enter with a record of 31-44, while the Nuggets stand at 47-29.
Last night, the Spurs lost to the Orlando Magic in San Antonio by a final count of 116-105. Harrison Barnes led the Spurs with 24 points, while rookie Stephon Castle chipped in 16 points, eight rebounds and six assists.
San Antonio has currently lost five straight games, yet they remain in the 13th seed in the Western Conference and are still mathematically alive to make it to the play-in tournament.
Last night, the Nuggets lost to the Minnesota Timberwolves in double overtime by a final score of 140-139. Superstar center Nikola Jokic had one of the best games of his career, totaling 61 points along with ten rebounds and ten assists.
Prior to the loss against the Timberwolves, Denver had won three of their previous four games. The Nuggets are currently the third seed in the West, a half-game ahead of the Los Angeles Lakers and two games behind the Houston Rockets.
San Antonio Spurs Injury News
The Spurs have a long injury report heading into tonight’s game. Being this late in the season, San Antonio obviously doesn’t want to risk anything in the second game of a back-to-back.
Jeremy Sochan will miss a second consecutive game due to back spasms. Charles Bassey will miss another game due to a troublesome knee. Joining Sochan and Bassey on the sidelines will be Devin Vassell, who will sit out due to his back.
Keldon Johnson is listed as questionable for tonight’s game against the Nuggets.
With Victor Wembanyama, De’Aaron Fox, Sochan, Bassey, Vassell and possibly Johnson on the sidelines, the leading active scorers for the Spurs will be Stephon Castle (14.3 points per game) and Harrison Barnes (11.8 points).
Denver Nuggets Injury News
Like the Spurs, the Nuggets also have a lengthy injury report. Nikola Jokic, fresh off of his 61-point triple-double, is questionable. Joining Jokic as questionable are Jamal Murray, Aaron Gordon, Michal Porter Jr, Christian Braun and Peyton Watson.
If Jokic, Murray, Gordon, Porter, Braun and Watson all sit out, the leading active scorer for the Nuggets would be Russell Westbrook at 13.1 points per game.
Betting Guide: Spurs at Nuggets
The Nuggets are favored by 9.5 points and the over/under is 231.5 points. With so many players possibly missing tonight’s game, the smart money is on the under. The fact that both teams will be playing a back-to-back also makes betting on the under a wise decision.